Sylvester Wickliff (1864-1959)
The people and families which identify as Creoles, both white and colored, exist all along the Gulf South from the bayou lands of Louisiana, to the bay hamlets of Mississippi and Alabama, to the old Iberian city of Pensacola. Over the decades, they have migrated to several other sections of the country, bringing with them their rich cultural heritage. One of these large communities of migrants from Louisiana is southeastern Texas. Many colored Creole families found opportunities in the oil fields, farmlands, and booming cities to be found across the Sabine River. From the “Frenchtown” of Houston to Galveston Island to Pear Orchard, the lyrical Latin surnames and compelling culinary and musical flavors of Louisiana can be found.
The Creole community in Ames, Texas had its start in 1890, when Sylvester Wickliff and Terence Trahan migrated there from the Lafayette area. Wickliff arrived with his wife, Euphemie, and infant son, Socrates. Trahan was accompanied by his wife, Carrie Jean-Louis, and his children, Mary and Louis Trahan. These men bought two hundred and forty-eight acres of land which they set out to farm. At that time, the country near Ames was still considered unimproved and it went for less than four dollars and acre. Joseph Cormier and his wife Lorena left Louisiana during the same year, purchasing one hundred and seventy-five acres of farmland. James Albreaux and his family likewise settled at Ames, taking up farming. Initially, the community, just three miles from Liberty, was called “Racial Station.”
Our Mother of Mercy Parish at Ames
In the early years, these pioneering families had to travel three miles to the town of Liberty in order to fulfill their religious obligations. In 1897, the Reverend Father Pfiffner, the Pastor of Parish at Liberty, proposed that the families build a church within their own community. Sylvester Wickliff, Terence Trahan, Joseph Cormier, and James Albreaux all contributed towards the purchase of lumber to build a small chapel at Ames. After a fire destroyed the first lumber, the men set about purchasing lumber again and with their own labor built a small chapel which was dedicated by the pastor from Liberty. Soon thereafter, Sylvester Wickliff and Joseph Cormier donated an acre and a half each to establish a cemetery for the people of the community. On 30 November 1897, they dedicated their new chapel of Sacred Heart at Ames.
After a succession of Josephite pastors, a new church, a school, a convent, and rectory were built during the pastorate of the Reverend Father Michael Gumbleton. Several other families migrated to the area, such as the Mallets, Arceneauxs, Domains, Pradiers, Frugers, Donattos, and Siases. By World War I, less than thirty years after it was established, the little Creole community numbered over seven hundred men, women, and children. In 1929, a third church was built and renamed Our Mother of Mercy Parish. Today, more than a century after its founding, the good Creoles of Ames, Texas continue to keep alive their heritage through their cooking, their music, and their worship at Our Mother of Mercy Parish.
Source: The [Liberty] Vindicator, thevindicator.com; The Colored Harvest, October 1917, pages 2-3.
J.C.L.H.
Willie James Wickliffe…born in Evergreen,Louisiana. Rev. Samuel James was his grandfather. My father moved us to Los Angeles,CA when I was 2 years old. I am now 75 years old. Thank You.
Do you have any information on James Albreaux? My grandmother spells it Albro.
My grandmother’s maiden name was Thibeaux but the nuns made them change the spelling to Tebo. …
I’m a Great grandson of Sylvester Wickliff, holding down some of the Wickliff estate here in Ames today, left to me by Emile & Ernestine Wickliff Fontenot. I’m so grateful for the long vision these people had, in the worst of times, as well as the article from the Vindicator. Thanks Emile (Sonny) Fontenot Jr.
Hi Sonny, my great grandfather was Joseph Paul, Sylvester’s brother. I’m interested in learning about the rest of the descendants from Michael and Lucy Paul and connecting our family trees
I would like to know how the northwest side of the cemetery was donated since it belonged to the Louis Trahan Family?
I want to learn more. I have family from Mallet who moved there long ago.
We would suggest that you connect with Alex Da’Paul Lee on Facebook. He has a wealth of knowledge concerning the families in Saint Landry Parish.
I’m surprised the article doesn’t mention the annual Our Mother of Mercy Church Easter rodeo that is still ongoing and may be one of (it not the) the oldest black rodeo in Texas and the United States. Celebrating 80 years in 2017.
Was wondering if you had information on Frugers(Fregias) that moved to Ames?
My grandparents settled in Ames, TX in the 1900’s from St. Martinville, LA. They were Joseph Kerlegon & Evia Breaux – Kerlegon. They attended OMOM Catholic Church in Ames. TX. They are buried in the Ames cemetery.
Do you know if Evia Breaux was related to Adras Breaux who settled in BEAUMONT Tx?
Thanks
Awesome, my Grand parents left Louisiana around 1928; Paul Singleton and wife Caroline Doucet of Arnuville LA. I often listen to my father speak of
Ames, Liberty, Dayton, Beaumont; finally settling in Barrett Station, TX
Did Paul have a brother named Frank Singleton?
Any info on Jones, Guidry & Briscoe who migrated from St Landry’s Parish to Liberty & Raywood, TX?
Are you referring to Samuel Jones? I am part of the Jones Family. Email me
Thanks for this information. I grew up in Ames and never knew it’s history.
Thanks so much for this wonderful history. We spent summers in Ames with our grandparents (Emile and Leona Hebert).
The memories are priceless!
Ellen Ray and Harriet Vital
My Grandmother was Christine Gagne Melonson, I’m looking for futher info on my grandfather’s side, the Floyd Melonson family.
Hello Amy!
If you are the Amy I’m thinking of, I taught you in Jr high….We are cousins and I found Melonson info from Jerry Fontenot who is on FB….His grandmother was a Melonson. Good luck!
Hey la famille. Voici quelques informations que vous pourriez trouver utiles
http://www.verdunvillelouisiana.com/
I don’t see a mention of the Arceneaux family. when did Joe Arceneaux show up ?
Best people on earth!
My name is Veronica Mallet named after Veronica Mallet mother of my Grandmother Leona Thibodeaux Jenkins. Looking for information that connects us to the Wickliffe’s Epheme (Pradia) was related to Azalie..There’s where i get confused. Supposedly I have blood ties to the Wickliffe’s & Mallet’s
Hey Cousins !!!!
Hello there. My grandmother recently died last year, Francis Wickliff Thibodeaux. I’d love to hear more on the history. Please point me to the right direction.